Police forced to work out of truck after contaminants found in station

Police in a major Australian city will work out of a mobile truck after a shock find shuttered a busy police station.

Police in the nation’s capital will work out of a mobile command truck after a station was closed following the discovery of “above acceptable” levels of lead and diesel contamination.

ACT Police established the mobile front office at Gungahlin Police Station in Canberra’s north on Wednesday after the joint emergency services centre was closed last month.

Routine testing conducted during planned building works at the emergency centre identified traces of lead above acceptable levels in one location, as well as diesel particulates.

Police will work out of a makeshift site after a station was closed due to chemical contamination. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

In a statement, ACT Police said to “ensure safety and wellbeing of staff” they had taken a “precautionary approach” and set up the truck out the front of the police station.

The mobile office, surrounded by a police-blue fence, will be staffed from 8am-8pm, and will provide basic front office services such as crime reporting and bail requirements.

“Justice of the Peace services are expected to commence at the site in coming days. It is expected this facility will be in place until police are able to return,” police said.

The temporary site will service front office needs, such as crime reporting. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Police earlier said: “Gungahlin patrols will continue to attend incidents in the Gungahlin district with an aim to ensure response times are kept to a minimum.”

The closure comes amid widespread reports of another hazardous contaminant, asbestos, at building sites, schools, and playgrounds across Sydney and NSW.

Gungahlin, located in Canberra’s north, is one of the city’s fastest growing regions and by 2041 is forecast to be home to more than 100,000 residents.

Originally published as Police forced to work out of truck after contaminants found in station